Ronald W. Reagan
In Memoriam
1911-2004
The Eureka College community mourns the passing of Ronald W. Reagan, the 40th President of the United States and honored alumnus of the college class of 1932.
Timeline of participation in events at Eureka College:
1941 He made his first return trip to the campus since entering motion pictures.
1947 He returned to lead the Pumpkin Festival Parade.
1955 He was on campus for the 100th Anniversary of the College, during which he received a Centennial Citation.
1957 He delivered the commencement address at the 25th anniversary of his graduation, and was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters by his alma mater.
1967 As Governor of California, he returned to dedicate the new Melick Library, along with fellow dignitaries Senator Everett Dirksen, Senator Charles Percy, Governor Otto Kemer, U.S. Representative Robert Michel, and others.
1970 He and his brother Neil, a 1933 graduate of Eureka College, attended the formal opening of Reagan Physical Education Center, named for them.
1977 He kicked-off a capital campaign for the College.
1979 He spoke at Honors Day convocation, and chaired the initial meeting of the College's National Advisory Council.
1980 Near the end of his first presidential campaign, he spoke at a pep rally on campus.
1982 He delivered a major foreign policy address at Eureka College Commencement which announced for the first time his goal for a Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with the Soviet Union. Widely known as "The Eureka Speech," this signaled "the beginning of the end of the Cold War."
The Ronald W. Reagan Leadership Program was established to recognize young men and women of exceptional talent, who have the potential to lead and the desire to serve their society. The Reagan Leadership Program provides a unique opportunity for such fellows, five students in each class, a chance to develop and refine that potential and desire. Mentorships with noted leaders around the globe offer fellows a chance to experience, firsthand, the leadership skills of others.
1984 He delivered an address on campus to kick off Time's Distinguished Speakers series in which he reaffirmed his determination to reach agreements with Moscow on reducing the size of the two superpowers' nuclear arsenals.
1986 He was the honored dinner guest at the newly renovated Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C., for an event benefitting the College's Ronald Reagan Leadership Program.
1987 He hosted a White House reception for the Ronald Reagan Fellows and leading supporters of Eureka College.
1992 In his farewell visit to his alma mater, he delivered the commencement address at the 60th anniversary of his graduation.
In addition to participation in these college events, President Reagan served three six-year terms on the College's Board of Trustees (1947-53, 1967-73, 1974-80).
1999 Maureen Reagan (1941-2001), President Reagan's eldest daughter, was elected to a five-year term on the college's Board of Trustees.
The Ronald Reagan Peace Garden was dedicated to recognize President Reagan's contributions toward world peace and specifically his 1982 speech at the college announcing the Strategic Arms Reduction Challenge to the Soviet Union. A bronze bust of Reagan is the centerpiece of the garden. Quotes from the speech are inscribed on the pedestal.
The Ronald Reagan Trail opened, connecting 11 communities that include historical landmarks that played a role in President Reagan's life.
Ronald W. Reagan
In Memoriam
1911-2004
Quotes from Reagan (found on the walls of the Reagan Museum)
Compiled by Dr. Brian Sajko , curator
"In four short years you blink and college is gone. You go to class, you study hard- even pulling an occasional all-nighter. You struggle through "Western Civilization and Culture," you meet your friends at "The Outpost" for a few beers. Some of you join fraternities and sororities, you fall in and out of love, you cheer for the Red Devils and before you know it, you're in cap and gown. It's hard to believe it happens so fast, but it does."
"In your short time here, you became best friends with people you did not even know before you came here. I'll bet you hardly remember when you did not know many of the people you are closest to today. The bonding which takes place in college is unlike any other experience."
"My young friends, savor these moments. Keep the memories close to your heart."
"The most valuable lesson I learned at Eureka is that every individual makes a difference."
"One of the first things I found out about my particular college was that, because of its size, we assumed a lot of assignments. Most of the time we took a whole host of leadership roles simply because there was no one else to do it. It was my first taste of stepping forward and assuming responsibility for more than my own life, and I never forgot it. Sometimes, when I think of how little I knew about life, contrasted with how much responsibility I took on at Eureka, it makes me smile. But the college never let me do less than my best."
"I had never faced a kickoff without a prayer. I didn't pray to win- I didn't expect God to take sides- but I prayed no one would be injured, we'd all do our best and have no regrets no matter how the game came out."
"Eureka, of course, is a Greek word that means I have found it and it described perfectly the sense of discovery I felt the day I arrived here in the fall of 1928. Eureka was everything I had dreamed it would be and more."
"I was born February 6, 1911, in a flat above the local bank in Tampico, Illinois. According to family legend, when my father ran up the stairs and looked at his newborn son, he quipped, "He looks like a fat little Dutchman. But who knows, he might grow up to be president some day." I asked people to call me "Dutch." That was a nickname that grew out of my father's calling me "the Dutchman" whenever he referred to me."
"From one Red Devil to all the others- hail to the maroon and gold, and hail to our alma mater, and I think all of us should pledge in our hearts that it will be there long after we're gone, doing for young people what it did for us."
"If I had to do it all over again, I'd go to Eureka College."